Specific uptake of radioiodinated fragment E1 by venous thrombi in pigs.

Fragment E1, a product of plasmic digestion of cross-linked fibrin, binds specifically in vitro to polymerized fibrin but not to fibrinogen. Purified human Fragment E1 was radiolabeled with 125I or 131I by the Iodogen technique. The uptake of radioiodinated Fragment E1 in vitro into forming or preformed clots was demonstrated.

Congenital hypofibrinogenemia and recurrent placental abruption.

A 32-year-old white woman with a history of 2 episodes of abruptio placentae was found to have congenital hypofibrinogenemia. She had no bleeding difficulties except when pregnant. The patient's sisters and her mother also had reduced fibrinogen levels.

Unique degradation of human fibrinogen by proteases from western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom.

Thrombin-coagulability of both human fibrinogen and plasma was rapidly lost upon incubation with western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom. The dose- and time-dependent effect was due to direct proteolytic degradation of fibrinogen (Mr 340,000) by venom enzymes. Using purified fibrinogen as the substrate it was demonstrated that the venom degraded the A alpha chain first and then the B beta chain.